Wheeler Dealers Series 12 (2015)

Series 12 introduces Wheeler Dealers‍ ' new U.S. workshop in Los Angeles, California, and the brand new UK workshop.

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Vehicle

Budget

Purchase Price

Final Cost After Restoration

Final Selling Price

Profit/Loss

1

"1965 Pontiac GTO"

US$25,000£15,400

US$25,000£15,400

US$28,200£17,500

US$32,000£19,700

+US$4,200 +£2,500

Asking $27,500 Price Paid $25,000

Work Completed: New uprated aluminium radiator with electric fan, water pump, and thermostat installed. Power steering box refurbished and repainted. Air conditioning system reinstated, however original compressor and condenser supplied by the seller, could not be used because of damage and were replaced with aftermarket units. Aftermarket wooden steering wheel replaced with period correct leather unit. Wooly suspension fixed by tightening loose nut on suspension arm. Damaged right side exhaust downpipe welded with new pipe and realigned to match the height of the left side. Broken tachometer and fuel gauges replaced with new aftermarket units.

Notes: Purchased from Johnsburg, Illinois. Car was originally from California and had its engine swapped with a 1967 400 cu in (6.6L) triple carburettor V8 that generates 400 bhp. Restored car taken to Borrego Springs, California.

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Vehicle

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2

1951 Ford F-1

US$5,000 £3,061

US$4,500 £2,755

US$14,484£9,296

US$20,000£12,729

+US$5,516 +£3,433

Asking $5,000 Price Paid $4,500

Work Completed: The 3.9L (239 cu. in) Flathead V8 engine cleaned and upgraded with new aluminium heads, new inlet manifold, new four barrel carburettor and new tubular exhaust manifold. Engine bay resprayed in original teal colour. Electrical system converted from 6V to 12V. Four speed non-synchronous transmission upgraded to a modern automatic unit. Custom gear linkage mechanism fitted to the transmission using original steering column shifter. New exhaust system fitted. Custom "Mike & Edd" logo hand painted on both doors. Custom aluminium windshield sun visor made. Body painted in certain areas in original teal to create a Rat rod look, then sealed with a clear coat. Wheeler Dealers logo etched onto vent windows, using an angle grinder and steel tubing to create sparks. Vinyl seats and sun visors reupholstered with real cowhide. Steel wheels repainted in original teal colour and white wall tires fitted.

Notes: Purchased from Everett, Washington. Finished truck was taken to Twin Peaks, California, to participate in a rat rod cruise.

Notes: Purchased from a classic car dealership in East Los Angeles, California. Originally thought to be a 1500 variant, the engine was discovered by Edd to be a rebuilt 1600 cc single cam unit. Restored car brought to Hollywood Hills for a cruise. Sold at asking price

Notes: Originally a non-running unit that had not been used for 17 years. Seller advertised it for US$5,975, but due to high demands from collectors, Mike bought it for US $7,750. Majority of the replacement parts purchased at a classic BMW car meet. refurbished original parts. Restored car taken to BMW's U.S. headquarters in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where it was test driven before being sold to a Florida buyer.Edd not very optimistic it woud run and proved right.

Notes: Purchased from San Jose, California. Restored car taken to the Reno, Nevada, for its test drive before being put on an online charity auction.

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Vehicle

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PurchasePrice

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6

Nissan 240Z

US$10,000£6,480

US$8,500£5,508

US$11,750£7,917

US$16,750£11,287

+US$5,000 +£3,370

Asking $11,000 Price Paid $8,500

Work Completed: Automatic gearbox swapped with a 5-speed manual from a later 280Z. Camshaft profiled, carburettors rebuilt and performance exhaust added to improve engine performance. New chrome camshaft cover added.

Notes: Notes: Purchased from a Cars & Coffee event in Irvine, California. Mike was initially searching for a manual 240Z but was unable to find one within budget. Restored car taken to Willow Springs Raceway for its test drive. Sold at asking price.

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Vehicle

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7

1973 Volkswagen 181 Thing

US$10,000£6,380

US$8,000£5,104

US$12,543£8,240

US$15,750£10,352

+US$3,207 +£2,112

Asking $8,000 Price Paid $8,000

Work Completed: Repaired side windows. Replaced the foam seats. Replaced the spark plugs and the leads. Replaced the fuel dampener as the current one looked worn-down. Replaced the exhaust. Replaced the front drum brakes with disc brakes.

Notes: Purchased in Oregon. Sold at asking price to a buyer in Japan.

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Vehicle

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8

1952 DeSoto Firedome 8

US$15,000£9,599

US$12,500£7,999

US$17,000£10,710

US$23,000£14,811

+US$6,000 +£3,863

Work Completed: Flat silver painted bumpers and brightwork rechromed. Engine heads refurbished with new valve guides, seats and polished valves, resulting in a gain of 30 bhp. Added remote controlled door opening mechanism and poppers to compensate for the shaved door handles; new 8 volt battery added for the mechanism. The dark tint on the windows was removed to give the car more appeal. New steel wheels with chrome hubcaps and whitewall tyres

Notes: Notes: Purchased from Charlotte, North Carolina. Customised vehicle with the door handles shaved off. Restoration price includes US$750 credit from selling the original unit's alloy wheels. Restored car taken to California's Wine Country for its test drive. Placed on consignment to a classic car dealer, as Mike headed back to Europe.

Notes: Bought from an internet auction. The seats and harnesses are free, since Edd used old units from a previous project. The off-road tires are made from recycled old tires. Restored car taken to an off-road testing site in York to test its off-road abilities.

Notes: Rare Ti variant, only 50 of which are registered in the UK. Purchased from an auction in Norfolk. Engine had not been serviced for 17 years. Mike previously wanted to sell the car for £8,000 during a radio talk show, but then he backed up and advertised the car for £7,250.

Notes: Car was a former factory drift racer demonstrator that was not road legal. At the end of the episode, the car had been registered on the road as a brand new 2014 model year car. Restoration costs include £200 credit from selling the racing seats. Restored car taken to Portmeirion, North Wales, to pay homage to the TV series The Prisoner, which featured the Caterham 7's predecessor, the Lotus Seven. Newest car featured in the series.

Notes: Car was originally a 1.3 litre left-hand drive Ghia model from the Netherlands that had been converted into an RS2000 both cosmetically and mechanically by a workshop specialising in rally car conversion. Purchase price includes a competition-spec straight cut gearbox. Restored car taken to Walters Arena rally stage in Wales for a small competition between Mike and Edd.

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Vehicle

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Final Cost After Restoration

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15

1957 Messerschmitt KR200

£17,995

£17,000

£22,271

£25,000

+£2,729

Work Completed: Cylinder head cleaned and new head gasket fitted, full service performed, hubcaps replaced, aftermarket leather canopy replaced with correct clear dome, engine casing polished, crease on the rear mudguard bent back to shape, welded and patched, full respray from mint green to red and white, new chrome bits fitted to upgrade the car to Deluxe model, whitewall tire fitted, aftermarket air filter and exhaust system replaced with original units, engine bay cleaned, interior re-trimmed, period correct switch installed, brightwork polished.

Notes: Bought to celebrate Messerschmitt KR200's 60th anniversary. Pre-fitted with aftermarket canopy roof. Edd broke the clear dome during trimming, requiring Mike to purchase another one, which was the last unit available in the country according to Edd. Restored car taken to a Messerschmitt gathering. Sold at asking price to a Swedish buyer who sent his daughter over to the UK to take a look at the car.

Notes: Purchased from a collector in southern France as a barn find that was used as commercial vehicle. The Ford engine used is a bored-out 2.0 liter engine from a Ford Transit. Converted into a modern commercial vehicle. Restored car taken to a garlic farm in Isle of Wight.

Notes: Purchased in Italy, but the seller's agent advertised the car as located in London. Purchase price includes a pre-made aluminium casing for the uninstalled heater. Previous owner fitted functional custom sidepods. Restored car taken to Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire for handling and top speed test, it achieved 170 mph on the oval track. Sold at asking price.